Politics

FF select McConalogue and Gallagher in Donegal

Both Fianna Fáil members elected on first count to compete in five-seat constituency

Fianna Fáil’s Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher polled 332 votes from more than 700 members at the selection convention in Letterkenny. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Fianna Fáil’s Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher polled 332 votes from more than 700 members at the selection convention in Letterkenny. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Michael O'Regan
Sun Oct 04 2015 - 17:55

Fianna Fáil selected outgoing TD Charlie McConalogue and former minister of state and MEP Pat "the Cope'' Gallagher as its Donegal general election candidates on Sunday.

More than 700 members voted at the selection convention in Letterkenny. Mr Gallagher polled 332 votes followed by Mr McConalogue with 261 and both were elected on the first count.

Donegal will be a five-seater in the election, following the amalgamation of the two three-seat constituencies, Donegal North-East and Donegal South-West.

Mr Gallagher had a long career in politics as a TD for Donegal South-West, minister of State and MEP, before losing his seat in the last European elections.

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Mr McConalogue won a seat in Donegal North-East in the last general election.

The convention was chaired by party environment spokesman, Barry Cowen.

Michael O'Regan

Michael O'Regan

Michael O’Regan is a former parliamentary correspondent of The Irish Times